Survey could lead to changes in projects for graduation

Friday

Jan 11, 2013 at 12:01 AM

No two words provoke a stronger reaction from high school seniors in Davidson County Schools than graduation project. College application might come close, but the graduation project affects every student in the senior class. They must complete the project in order to graduate.

No two words provoke a stronger reaction from high school seniors in Davidson County Schools than graduation project. College application might come close, but the graduation project affects every student in the senior class. They must complete the project in order to graduate.Davidson County implemented the projects in 2007, anticipating statewide adoption of the mandate. However, the state backed off requiring seniors to complete a project. Lexington City Schools, for example, never added them to its graduation requirements. But Davidson County has continued to require seniors to complete the projects, with several modifications over the years.One of the primary changes involved the length of the project. From 2009-11, one component of the project took place each grade, spreading it over four years. For the last two years, the project has taken place during the senior year as part of the senior English project.Although seniors don't want to hear it, there are some benefits to the project. Students can explore areas of interest, sometimes finding out a potential career isn't such a good fit after all. They learn time-management skills and the importance of not procrastinating. They also gain new skills, such as public speaking before the community judges, who almost always are sympathetic and look for ways to encourage the students.But the projects also pose some challenges. Most students today are extremely busy with schoolwork, extracurricular activities, college applications, work, and family and church commitments. Adding the graduation project can cause more stress in their lives; the student must spend 15 hours with a mentor, which requires juggling two schedules, plus create a portfolio of work and make the presentation. It also adversely affects what can be taught in senior English, since so much of the focus must be on the project.Davidson County Schools is seeking feedback from students, parents and teachers about the graduation project. This provides an opportunity for each group to voice the positives and negatives about the project. Sometimes surveys end up in the trash can, but this one deserves completion by those who receive it. It will help give the board a broad sample of responses to gauge the feelings about the project.Just because many seniors don't like the graduation projects doesn't necessarily mean they should disappear, but if legitimate concerns surface about their merit, then the board of education should consider changing — or eliminating — them.